Justice Sotomayor Visits University Of The Pacific

Justice Sonya Sotomayor with University of the Pacific President Pamela Eibeck.

University of the Pacific

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor visited the University of the Pacific in Stockton on Friday. She was the keynote speaker for the Advancing Women's Leadership program. Sotomayor focused on the young students in the audience.

Two thousand of the 3,000 people in attendance at the Spanos Center were students from college to middle school. And they asked her for a quote about being a latina.

"It's very cool to be a latina, and you know why it's cool, we're beautiful, we're sexy, we're smart, and we can dance (applause)."

Sotomayor also praised the teachers who were present. Many in the crowd were able to shake her hand as she walked among the audience, and for high school senior Leah Dutra it was a moving experience to hear her talk.

"There was a lot of seniors in the crowd and we're going to be moving off to college soon, so it was pretty inspirational, it was nice to hear."

Sotomayor had humble beginnings and she knows she has a commitment to the women who follow behind her.

"You have an obligation if you're a woman in a senior position to mentor and help other women achieve as well. If you're a minority like I am I have an obligation to give back to my community. That's why I'm here."

As the Central Valley correspondent, Rich Ibarra covers San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced counties, along with the foothill areas including Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. He covers politics, the economy and issues affecting the region. Read Full Bio